William H. Koll, 80, of Linden Hall, died on Saturday, September 27, 2003 at Centre Community Hospital.
He was born on August 18, 1923 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, a son of the late Frank and Grace Lovelace Koll.
On Aug. 18, 1951, he married Barbara Johnson who survives at home.
He was a graduate of Fort Dodge High School and received a bachelor of arts degree from Iowa State Teachers College and a masters degree from Northwestern University. He received his doctorate in education from Oregon State University.
From 1943 to 1945 he served in the U. S. Army in the 149th combat engineers battalion. He landed at Omaha Beach the morning of June 6, 1944.
In his senior year of high school, he was an undefeated state champion wrestler in Iowa and was a three time NCAA national wrestling champion at Iowa State Teachers College, now known as the University of Northern Iowa.
During his three collegiate seasons, he had a 72-0 record, surrendering only one takedown during the three years. He became the first two-time winner of the NCAA national championship tournaments's Outstanding Wrestler Award. He wrestled for the U. S. Olympic team in the 1948 games in London, England, placing fifth.
From 1952 to 1964, he was the head wrestling coach at the University of Northern Iowa. From 1964 to 1979 he was the head wrestling coach at Penn State University.
He was inducted into the following halls of fame: The Fort Dodge Athletic; the Des Moines Register, Iowa; the Iowa High School Athletic; The Pennsylvania High School Athletic; The Eastern Wrestling League; The Helms Athletic Foundation; and the U. S. A. wrestling Hall of Fame.
He as a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Centre Hall
In addition to his wife he is survived by six children, Chris Koll of Marcellus, NY, Sarah Nichols of Austin Texas, Amy Glunt of Bellefonte, David Koll of State College, Michael E. Koll of Fairbrook, and Robert Koll of Ithaca, NY.; two sisters, Dorothy Graalmann, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Nancy Thompson of Turlock, CA; 10 grandchildren, Justine Koll Pope, Robert Glunt, Jed Koll, Lelsey Glunt, Kaylie Koll, Mathew Koll, Carly Koll, Sarah Koll, William Henry Koll, and Daniel Koll; and three great grandchildren, Bret, Timothy, and Juliet Pope.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p. m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003, at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral Service, 226 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Centre Hall, PA
A celebration of his life will be held at 10:00 a. m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003, at Grace United Methodist Church, 127 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Centre Hall, with the Rev. Dan Smith officiating.
Burial will be in the Reformed and Lutheran Cemetery in Centre Hall, PA
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity, 206 S. Bourrowes St. State College, PA or to a charity of the donors choice.
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